Reviews
There are so many incredible books available at the moment that it is impossible to read them all, no matter how hard I try! Here are my thoughts about some of the books I have read and how I think they could be used in school as well as Q and A sessions with authors and illustrators.
Ask Me Anything
Mary-Elizabeth Baxter is a girl brimming with confidence. Agony aunt for the university’s magazine, she offers up-beat advice to her fellow students and, having set her sights on Felix Balfour, she is looking forward to a year of fun- sex with no strings attached. When she meets grumpy Laurie, who works on the uni newspaper, Mary- Elizabeth is convinced that he is behind the sudden appearance of a rival problem page which offers far harsher advice. However, when things with Felix start to go wrong and Mary- Elizabeth finds her confidence shaken, Laurie proves he is not the bad guy after all.
Lively and engaging, ‘Ask Me Anything’ is a fun read about university life which offers plenty to think about.
I have to confess that initially I found Mary-Elizabeth intensely irritating! Her personal brand of chirpy optimism and self-assurance felt over-blown and false. However, she quickly became more endearing as the cracks in her armour developed and she became more rounded and plausible. In her pursuit of Felix and her determination to stick to her rules, she ignores her true feelings and the warning signs which she would be sure to have plenty of advice to offer to others in the same situation. There is an element of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ in her relationships with Laurie who she quickly takes against, and Felix, the Wickham of the piece, and like Lizzie Bennet, she emerges stronger, wiser and more self-aware by the end of the story.
Mary-Elizabeth’s relationship with her parents also gives an interesting twist to the tale. Never quite at ease with her mother, events lead to greater understanding between the two whilst her father seems to feel that financial support can replace in person contact and interest.
University life makes an appealing background to the story with plenty of friendships and fun and empathetic, supportive staff offering guidance when needed. The problem letters which Mary-Elizabeth answers give some sound advice which may well support readers - of any age!- experiencing similar issues.
Written in a very easy-to-read style, ‘Ask Me Anything’ is thoroughly enjoyable.
Ask Me Anything
Bethany Rutter
Hot Key Books ISBN: 978-1471419362
Out on 6.11.2025